Oklahoma Quarterback Troy Aikman Says He Is Transferring to UCLA

HENRYETTA, Okla. — Troy Aikman, the starting quarterback for the University of Oklahoma last season before breaking his ankle, said Wednesday that he is transferring to UCLA.

Aikman announced earlier this spring that he would not return to the national champion Sooners. He selected UCLA after visits there and at Arizona State.

"I was leaning toward UCLA all along," Aikman said. He originally is from California but graduated from Henryetta High School. He will be a junior in the fall but will have to sit out one season before becoming eligible for two years.

Aikman broke his ankle against Miami (Fla.) in the fourth game of last season and was replaced by freshman Jamelle Holieway of Los Angeles Banning High.

Aikman said he had been unhappy at Oklahoma since the team switched from the I formation to the wishbone. The I was more suited to Aikman's style as a passer than was the run-oriented wishbone.

"I wanted to go somewhere where I could throw the ball and do what I do best," he said.

Oklahoma Coach Barry Switzer said earlier that he and UCLA Coach Terry Donahue agreed that Aikman would not report to UCLA until the start of classes late in September, since Oklahoma and UCLA will play in the season opener Sept. 6.

Aikman said the agreement was made without him being consulted and added that he intends to report with the rest of the team. "I'm not going to tell them anything about Oklahoma," he said.